Hole in the keel area

  • June 12, 2013 7:26 AM
    Message # 1315477
    Deleted user
    Bud, others.

    On Harbinger we have a small opening ( delimitation I think ) into the keel area ( lift up the deck hatch near the center of the boat and youd see a small tear in the glass ) and exposed is concrete, led etc. I've been wanting to reseal it with glass but its got too much moisture, I think. For almost two weeks I've had a blower near this opening and stuffing paper towels into it to wick out the moisture. And as expected its always wet in the hole. The hole by the way is about two fingers in size. 

    How long do I need to wait? Is this damage a concern? Will the wet exposed concrete expand causing my hull to explode? 
    Last modified: June 12, 2013 7:28 AM | Deleted user
  • June 13, 2013 7:11 AM
    Reply # 1317279 on 1315477
    Rest assured, there is no concrete down there, if Westsail installed the ballast before shipping the kit to the first owner, which they normally did.  At the time that your hull was laminated, Westsail used three pieces of cast lead as ballast.  You can check that out by accessing Page D-14 of my Westsail Service Manual to determine the ballast you have in your boat.

    There may be some foam around the ballast to make a smooth surface to install the layer of fiberglass mat and roving over the top of the ballast.  Not too much you can do to dry it out if the boat is afloat, and there is any water or moisture in the bilges.
  • June 13, 2013 2:21 PM
    Reply # 1317660 on 1315477
    Deleted user
    Thanks Bud, so do I need to wait until I "haul out" to make the repair and if so I wonder if it should take weeks to dry out or days? 

    I'm still running this blower and can't imagine where the water is coming from as I have no leaks inside the cabin and have not sailed her yet. Is it simply humidity and or condensation?


  • June 14, 2013 4:35 PM
    Reply # 1318507 on 1315477
    If the fiberglass on top of the ballast is fractured, then water has been leaking into any voids around the ballast for probably years.  Do not expect it to become dry by just blowing some hot air in the fractured area.
  • August 06, 2014 1:20 AM
    Reply # 3064868 on 1315477
    Deleted user

    From  Olympia to someone in Olympia Wa:

    I hope that you fixed this problem. I just posted a comment to some one with a possibly similar issue in this page of this forum. A year went by since your posting, and I hope that my comments to Chris may be helpful to you too.

    Mike Zorn

    Last modified: August 06, 2014 1:31 AM | Deleted user
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